Configurable snowshoe and ski device

Abstract

A device and method are disclosed for a configurable snowshoe and ski device. The device may include a base member having a bottom for traversing over snow, and a plurality of wings rotatably coupled to the member, the wings convertible between a skiing configuration in which the wings form a surface for gliding over snow and a snowshoe configuration in which the wings extend outward laterally. Also, the device may include a first locking device configured to maintain the plurality of wings in the snowshoe configuration, and a second locking device configured to maintain the plurality of wings in the skiing configuration. The method may include rotatating a plurality of wings coupled to a base member outward laterally to form a snowshoe configuration, and rotating the plurality of wings inward to form a skiing configuration in which the wings form a surface for gliding over snow.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device configurable between a snowshoe configuration and a skiing configuration, the device comprising:
 a base member having a bottom for traversing over snow; 
 a plurality of wings dynamically coupled to the base member, the wings convertible between a skiing configuration in which the wings form a surface for gliding over snow and a snowshoe configuration in which the wings extend outward laterally; 
 wherein the plurality of wings cooperate with the bottom of the base member to form a substantially continuous skiing surface; 
 a first locking device configured to maintain the plurality of wings securely in the snowshoe configuration; and 
 a second locking device configured to maintain the plurality of wings securely in the skiing configuration. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein each wing forms an outer edge for turning on snow or ice when the plurality of wings is in the skiing configuration. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a binding device rotatably connected with the base member, the binding device configured to couple a user to the base member and comprising a toe section, and a heel section. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an axle configured to rotatably couple the binding device with the base member and enable the binding device to rotate through the plane of the base member allowing the toe and heel section to freely move in order to allow the user to walk. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the axle releasably couples the binding device to the base member. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of traction devices configured for gripping snow or ice when the plurality of wings is in the snowshoe configuration. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein at least one traction device is configured to couple with the toe section and rotate through the plane of the base member. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the binding device further comprises a locking device configured to fixedly couple the heel section with the base member in order to facilitate skiing over snow-covered terrain. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is molded substantially from a single material. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein the material comprises a lightweight and rigid polymer. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a torsion spring configured to rotate the plurality of wings into the snowshoe configuration. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the torsion spring is configured to rotate the plurality of wings through a range of between about 120° and 180° into the snowshoe configuration. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the torsion spring is configured to rotate the plurality of wings through a range of about 150° into the snowshoe configuration. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising removably coupled front and rear portions. 
     
     
       15. A device configurable in a snowshoe configuration and a skiing configuration, the device comprising:
 a base member having a bottom for traversing over snow; 
 a plurality of wings dynamically coupled to the base member, the wings convertible between a skiing configuration in which the wings form a surface for gliding over snow and a snowshoe configuration in which the wings extend outward laterally; 
 wherein the plurality of wings cooperate with the bottom of the base member to form a substantially continuous skiing surface; 
 a first locking device configured to maintain the plurality of wings securely in the snowshoe configuration; 
 a second locking device configured to maintain the plurality of wings securely in the skiing configuration; 
 a binding device rotatably connected with the base member, the binding device configured to couple a user to the base member and comprising a toe section, and a heel section; and 
 a plurality of traction devices configured for gripping snow or ice when the plurality of wings is in the snowshoe configuration. 
 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 15 , wherein each wing forms an outer edge for turning on snow or ice when the plurality of wings is in the skiing configuration. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 15 , further comprising a torsion spring configured to rotate the plurality of wings into the snowshoe configuration. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 15 , further comprising removably coupled front and rear portions. 
     
     
       19. A method for configuring a device in a snowshoe configuration and a skiing configuration, the device comprising:
 transitioning a plurality of wings coupled to a base member outward laterally to form a snowshoe configuration, and transitioning the plurality of wings inward to form a skiing configuration in which the wings form a surface for gliding over snow, with the plurality of wings cooperating with the bottom of the base member to form a substantially continuous skiing surface; 
 maintaining the plurality of wings securely in the snowshoe configuration; and 
 maintaining the plurality of wings securely in the skiing configuration.